MELTON CRITICIZES FEENSTRA OVER EARMARKS
The Democrat candidate in Iowa’s fourth congressional district race is criticizing the incumbant over earmarks, specifically, the lack thereof. Ryan Melton of Nevada says U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra and the rest of Iowa’s Republican congressmen should ask for earmarks in spending bills. He says this would benefit the fourth district. Earmarks were ruled out in the House, and instead, specific projects are called :”Community Project Funding.”
House rules let members request funding for up to 15 projects in their districts and Representatives Zach Nunn, Ashley Hinson and Mariannette Miller-Meeks each submitted 15 requests.
Feenstra describes himself as a strong fiscal conservative and his campaign website says Feenstra does not support wasteful earmarks that fund liberal pet projects in New York and California. Feenstra is at the State Fair today, hosting a congressional hearing about tax policy.
INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE IN NORTHWEST IOWA HOUSE RACE
A third candidate has stepped forward to run for election to the state legislature.
Parker Hansen, an independent candidate, will seek election in House District 13. This is a sprawling district, which includes parts of Plymouth and Cherokee Counties, most of Woodbury, and all of Monona County. Hansen is a resident and businessman from Correctionville. He founded and operates a marketing and copywriting firm there. He’s a graduate of River Valley High School, where he was the class valedictorian. He earned degrees from the University of Iowa, in Business, political science and international relations. Hansen joins a field that includes Republican nominee Travis Sitzmann of Lemars and Democratic party nominee Rosanne Plante of Hinton. Ken Carlson of Onawa represents the district. He will not seek re-election.
BOARD PLEASED WITH THIS YEAR’S COUNTY FAIR
The first meeting of the Plymouth County Fair Board since the fair was a positive one.
Plymouth County Fair Board President John Ahlers says there was a great turnout for the fair, despite uneven weather.
In their discussion this week, the fair board found little that they wanted to change in next year’s fair.
New ideas, and some of the regular events, went over well.
Vendors had a successful fair, too
Their appeal for donations also were successful.
Ahlers is looking forward to next year’s Plymouth County Fair
He’s grateful for all the people who made the fair possible.
The board discussed some improvements to be made on the fair grounds, but were pleased with operations at the fair this year.
CRITTENDON TO OPERATE ORANGE CITY DAYCARE AND PRESCHOOL
The Crittenton Center of Sioux City has entered into an agreement to assume operations of the Orange City Area Daycare and Preschool beginning September 3rd.
The agreement is with the early childhood development consisting of the MOC Floyd Valley School District, the cities of Orange City and Alton, and the Orange City Area Health System.
The Orange City Daycare and Preschool was previously operated by the Orange City Area Daycare Board for the last 37 years.
The Crittenton Center’s child development programs follow research and play-based curriculum and are cared for by certified teachers and trained classroom educators.
The Crittendon Center also provides management and programming for the Le Mars Community Daycare, and the Sioux Center Daycare.
GOVERNOR SEEKS WAIVER FOR SUMMER OF 2025 LOW INCOME FEEDING PROGRAM
Governor Reynolds is seeking a waiver to use federal funds to provide boxes of food for low income Iowa kids NEXT summer. Reynolds turned down 29 million dollars in federal funding for a program THIS summer that would have provided an extra 120 dollars in grocery money for each child who qualifies for a free or reduced price lunch at school. The money is distributed with Electronic Benefit Transfer or E-B-T cards that can be used at grocery stores where food stamps are accepted. The governor’s request is for Iowa to get the 29 million next summer and use it to provide boxes of groceries to feed an estimated 300-thousand children. Reynolds says her alternative will use bulk purchasing and provide healthier food to families.
HOW TO EASE KIDS BACK INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR
Iowa parents are encouraged to make a few proactive moves this week that may help their kids make a smoother transition back to school. Autumn Hartman is a counselor who works with youth at Rosecrance Behavioral Health in Sioux City. She suggests starting the school-year routines right away, including a nightly bedtime and an earlier wake-up time.
If the family has moved over the summer or if it’s a new school for the child, Hartman says it may help to arrange a tour of the school in advance.
If you haven’t bought school supplies yet, Hartman says to bring the child along for the shopping spree and get them involved.
Parents should also talk to their kids about school before — and after — it starts, giving them a chance to express their concerns and goals.
Focusing on mental preparedness and emotional support can pave the way for a smoother and more positive start to the school year, she says. Rosecrance facilities in Iowa serve more than 7,000 teens and adults every year at outpatient treatment clinics in Le Mars, Sioux City, Cherokee, Estherville, Spencer and Sheldon.
STUDY SHOWS IOWA SENIORS DON’T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF POTENTIAL BENEFITS
A report from the National Council on Aging and the Urban Institute finds few Iowans 65 and older are enrolled in public benefit programs for which they’re eligible. It found 34 percent of eligible Iowa seniors are enrolled in the Medicare Savings Program, 27 percent in Supplemental Security Income, and just 17 percent in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Jen Teague (TEEG), at the National Council on Aging, says more eligible seniors should sign up so they can purchase healthy and nutritious foods and still have more money each month. Teague says the data show Iowa fares worse than the national average for eligible senior enrollment in all three programs.
